A big dog frolics with a little dog in the yellow leaves of a central Minsk park on October 20, 2009. A new survey shows that dogs and cats help their owners deal with personal pressures related to a tough economy. (Viktor Drache/AFP/Getty Images)

Now here’s a financial tonic that the Washington politicians haven’t thought of yet.

A new survey shows that dogs and cats help their owners deal with personal pressures related to a tough economy.

According to a story by United Press International, the study of 400 Americans found a majority stated their pets’ emotional support and non-judgmental attitude are key to helping them survive challenging times.The survey was fielded by the independent digital direct agency Catalyst Direct.

Pet owners are experiencing various kinds of stress due to the uncertain economy, UPI said — 73 percent say they are more worried about finances; 64 percent say they are more anxious; 59 percent say they are less confident and 32 percent say they believe it has impacted their sense of identity.

It’s ironic that while Coloradans celebrate their heritage at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, a key part of that heritage is under siege.

Largely because of the economic downturn, the number of abandoned, neglected or abused horses in the state has climbed, far outstripping the ability of horse rescue groups or the government to deal with the problem.

Disposal methods, such as euthanasia or selling horses to slaughterhouses, increasingly pose their own thorny – and costly – issues.

Humane groups and agricultural interests have a history of eyeing each other suspiciously over issues like this. One is used to dealing with companion animals, the other views horses as livestock.

A recently formed group in Colorado, the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance, has taken on the complicated issue.

The alliance was seeded by the Denver-based Animal Assistance Foundation. AAF has been active for several decades, taking a methodical, scholarly approach that seeks to make Colorado a model state for animals.

“The alliance started two years ago as a task force after AAF had a conversation with the dean of the veterinary school at Colorado State University about the problems,” said David Gies. executive director of AAF.

The alliance now has its own board and has applied for nonprofit status.

The problems the new organization face are sizeable.

According to a 2008 study by the alliance, the number of horses in the state grew 76 percemt, to more than a quarter million, between 2000 and 2008, when the recession struck Americans full-force.

Between 2006 and 2008, equine cruelty investigations increased from 1,067 to 1,768. Cost of emergency care for cases of impounded horses ranged from $25,000 to $120,000 per incident.

According to Gies, there are now six times more unwanted horses in the state than there is stall space available to rescue groups to deal with them.

By far the biggest contributor has been the recession. “The bottom’s fallen out of the horse market,” said Gies. “You can’t sell them, … you can’t give them away.”
Bids at wlid horse auctions in Colorado have plummeted and the government is struggling with what to do about an overabundance of those animals.

Adding to the problem is closing of the nation’s processing facilities, where some horses had entered the food chain. Horse owners once viewed slaughterhouses as a “release valve” for unwanted horses and a way to prevent their further suffering. But the last U.S. processing plant closed in 2007 and, despite the fact that horses could be sent to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico, some animal welfare groups have fought the very notiion of slaughterhouses as being inhumane.

Agricultural interests say they are pinched by low market values for horses and, at the same time, rising prices for feed. They also blame indiscriminate breeding for swelling of herds.

The issue of euthanasia is bogged down by costs and the difficulty finding the right places to bury the remains of animals weighing over a thousand pounds.

And shadowing the whole discussion is the companion pet versus livestock debate.

“We’re trying to bridge that gap,” said Sarah Timms, an AAF staffer who oversees the Colorado alliance. “It’s a very emotional issue. We’ve been trying to get people together and that’s been one of our successes.”

Gies said those in the alliance respect the views of the agricultural community. He is careful to say the alliance is seeking “the best end” for unwanted horses, whatever that end may be.

AAF has given small grants to 14 resue groups in the state, which Gies called “introductory” grants. AAF is seeking reliable data from the groups and in exchange gives the groups information on the best treatment of unwanted horses.

The public can have a role in the process, Gies said, by donating to the Colorado alliance, learning by downloading research results on tha alliance’s website, reporting horse abuse, neglect or abandonment to authorities, supporting Colorado horse rescue groups and encouraging responsible horse ownership and care.
Reach the alliance at www.counwantedhorse.org.

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Winter is a time of snow, mud and dirty dogs, so the Denver-based American Humane Association is offering these tips to take care of your animal’s skin and coat.

+. Dogs should be bathed regularly. Brushing before a bath is recommended, as it breaks down dirt, grime and debris so the shampoo will clean more effectively (and it might also relax the dog).

+ Treat your dog to a visit with a professional groomer periodically. Dogs with coats that need regular trimming — such as poodles and Shih Tzus — can be professionally groomed every four to six weeks. Many mixed-breed dogs and those with multi-length coats — such as golden retrievers, many spaniels and sheep dogs — can get a professional grooming every six to 12 weeks. Dogs with uniform-length coats — such as Labs, and beagles — can visit a professional every 12 to 16 weeks, but can get by with home brushings

+. Inspect your dog’s ears frequently. Clean inside the ear only when you see dirt, wax or debris. Use an unexpired canine ear-wash solution and cotton balls to clean the ear (do not use cotton swabs). Squirt the solution into the dog’s ear canal and massage the base of the ear canal for 20 seconds. Then use cotton balls to remove the wax, but only as far down as you can see. Stop immediately if your dog cries, bites or exhibits any sign of pain.

+ Perform inspections of your dog’s skin and coat. Because your dog is covered in fur that can hide medical and grooming problems, you should inspect every inch of the skin and coat with your eyes and fingers. Regular brushing will make the inspection easier. Look for any changes or abnormalities, such as bites, parasites, injuries, lumps or changes in the skin’s color or texture.

+ Dogs with short hair and dogs that get cold easily should wear coats or sweaters while on a walk to keep them warm. You can also cover their feet with booties to protect their pads from salt or chemical de-icers. Wipe off any salt that might get on their stomach to keep them from licking it off.

Cameron, an injured veteran, with his new “war buddy,” Harper, a service dog that is helping him heal.

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Ian, a Humvee driver in Iraq, was doing his job for the military when an insurgent threw a grenade into the vehicle.

The 19-year-old tried to deflect the grenade but it fell inside. Another soldier threw his body on it to save his comrades and died instantly.

Ian suffered the worst injuries of the four survivors: traumatic brain injury, many shrapnel wounds and severe mobility problems.

When he returned to Fort Carson army base, Ian needed all the help he could get. A big part of that help came when he got Clark, a Freedom Service dog specially trained to brace and balance Ian, as well as help him with everyday activities.

Ian is now married with two children and a good job.

“I feel like I can do more of the things I did before I was injured,” he said in an article in the current newsletter of Freedom Service Dogs, Inc.

The Englewood-based organization is trying to help other veterans with severe injuries like Ian’s, but the going has been hard. This was a tough year for nonprofits and 2010 might be no better, says Sharan Wilson, executive director of Freedom Service Dogs.

“We have a dozen veterans on our waiting list,” Wilson said. ‘We’d have more but the military knows we have a shortage of resources.”

It takes about $25,000 and most of a year to train one dog. And Freedom Service Dogs also has nearly 30 other non-military people on its waiting list.

The program for veterans is called Be a Hero to a Hero. Wilson said it works with the Warriors in Transition Battalion at Fort Carson.

“The Battalion is for military people coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan who have severe mental or physical illness problems,” she said. “They are too injured to serve and aren’t ready to return to private life. They spend six months to two years getting healed.”

The battalion at Fort Carson has 600 members and is the largest of five in the country, Wilson said.

Freedom Service dogs are found at shelters. They often have health problems, she said, so the first step is to get them healthy.

Then they go through basic obedience training by members of Pawsitive Connection, a program for at-risk kids, or members of Warriors in Transition.

After that, Freedom Service’s three professional trainers take over, teaching dogs the specific skills it will need for specific veterans.

Along the way volunteers help socialize the dogs, occasionally taking them home for overnight stays. Volunteers and dogs in training have a legal right to go anywhere, since that is what the animals must do once they are placed, Wilson said.

When the process is finished the dog will have transformed from a homeless mutt to a life partner that can do tasks such as helping find necessities, helping navigate crowds or providing emotional support for veterans who have lived through the horrors of war.

“In Iraq everyone has a battle buddy,” said another returned soldier, Cameron. “Now that I’m home, (my dog) Harper is my battle buddy.”

Two friends lost their dogs in the past week, which was a jolting reminder of the downside of having pets.
They don’t live forever. Sooner or later, all pet owners llikely will have to cope with the death of an animal.
The good news is that many people understand how upsetting your loss can be. The bad news is that some think its just a trivial concern.
But just stop and think about it. A house pet spends as much time around you as any member of your family. They’re there when you’re at your best and your worst. They don’t judge. They take joy in just hanging out with you.
So the first thing you need to do when you lose a pet is to realize that it’s OK to grieve.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.org) puts it this way on its website: “Animals provide companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love during the time they share with you. If you understand and accept this bond between humans and animals, you’ve already taken the first step toward coping with pet loss: knowing that it is okay to grieve when your pet dies.
“Understanding how you grieve and finding ways to cope with your loss can bring you closer to the day when memories bring smiles instead of tears.”
Sometimes, according to HSUS, grief will last days. Other times, it can take years. You may, or may not, pass through the typical cycle of grief: first denial, then anger, guilt and, finally, acceptance.
Sometimes you can deal with it yourself. Sometimes you need the help of friends or a support group. Don’t let anybody tell you your way is wrong.
Do realize that pet loss can be especially hard for children and seniors, and help them through it. And don’t forget other pets in your house; they’ll be grieving the loss of their mate, too, and will need lots of TLC.
Lastly, HSUS advises people to do something to remember their pets. Here are five ways:
1. Hold a memorial service.
2. Find a special place for your pet’s ashes
3. Create a living memorial
4. Make a scrapbook
5. Write down your feelings
Several years ago, I had a special bond with a little American Eskimo dog. She and I were virtually inseparable. It was very hard when she lost use of her hind legs and had to be euthanized. I tried to turn her loss into something positive by dedicating the next year of my term on a non-profit animal hospital board to her memory. Everything I did, I did for her. When I helped other animals, I always thought of her.

PET CALENDAR

Lucky Mutt Strut - A 2-mile race to benefit MaxFund will be Aug. 30 at Washington Park in Denver, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fees: $30 pre-registration or $35 event day registration. Participants can walk or run the distance. Contact Marketing@Maxfund.org for more information.

Dog too aggressive? A class on canine aggression is being offered at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region on July 25 from 9-11 a.m. It will be presented by Brian Moore of Lucky Dog Resort and Training School. The cost is $15, benefitting homeless animals. RSVP at ecarroll@hsppr.org.

Denver Post reporter Electa Draper had a great story last week about how scientists are now concluding that dogs are more than instinct-driven automatons. Canines are being credited with having rich emotional lives and a sense of morals.

It’s about time. Any pet owner could have told them that years ago. I’ve lived with dogs all my life and I know it’s true.

“We’re not trying to elevate animals,” said animal behaviorist Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of the University of Colorado. “We’re not trying to reduce humans. We’re not saying we’re better or worse or the same. We’re saying we’re not alone in having a nuanced moral system.”

I will argue with anyone that dogs do smile and laugh. I’ve seen my chihuahua, Diego Rivera, crawl up in my lap for some petting and break into an unmistakable grin.

Fetch takes a topical look at a variety of issues affecting pets, including the latest research results.. It seeks to provide useful information for Colorado pet owners and to spotlight the work of Colorado animal welfare groups.